With the return of Champions
League football to Anfield, came the arrival of memorable clashes which
Liverpool fans thoroughly missed for a long period of time in EUROPE. After 5
years of absence, Liverpool were playing a side which is no more than then 13
years old, PFC Ludogorets. It was considered a pass in the park for the Reds
but sometimes, things are not as easy as it seems.

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And same was the case on Tuesday night
where Liverpool had to score a 90th minute winner. It was a nail biting finish
and the Merseyside Club was pretty below par throughout the match. The
Bulgarian side created all sorts of problems for Liverpool and at one moment
were looking to carry a point from their first ever Champions League game. But thanks to the ever reliable Stevie G,
Liverpool came with 3 points in a match they so badly wanted to win.

Liverpool struggled to create
chance throughout the game. It was nearly a repeat of Villa clash where goal
scoring chances were few and far between for the Reds. In the 1st half, only
one clear cut chance fell to Liverpool in which Lallana’s goal bound shot
required a good save by the goalkeeper. Other than that, they never came close
to threaten the opposing team.

Second half brought some sort of
attacking football to Liverpool’s game. Good chances fell to Gerrard, Manquillo
and Lallana but all of them failed to capitalize. Once again, players like
Coutinho and Lallana failed execute their game plan. It was a nervy debut for
Lallana who missed an easy chance.

The Break-through came in 82nd
minute when Mario Balotelli picked up Moreno cross and scored his first goal
for Liverpool. But the joy remained short lived for the Kopites. Super Sub
Paulos stunned Liverpool after scoring a 90th Minute equaliser.

Martin Tyler once said,

“Never Leave
Anfield Early. NEVER”

When a draw was looking certain,
came the final drama of the match. Manquillo was brought down by opposing
team’s goalie and Steven Gerrard converted the resulting penalty.

Star Performers for Liverpool
were both full backs Manquillo and Moreno who looked lively both in defensive
as well as attacking contributions. It was really difficult, 2-1 win for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers would like to see improved defensive
contributions from his side in the coming matches.